Ever wondered what it's like to ditch modern life and build a home in the middle of nowhere? Well, Ben Fogle does, repeatedly! And lucky for us, he takes us along for the ride in *New Lives in the Wild*.
This time, it's Panama, a land of lush rainforests, howler monkeys, and, apparently, people who've had enough of traffic jams.
The Panama Pioneers
Forget luxury resorts. We're talking about folks who build their houses from scratch and catch their dinner (hopefully without getting bitten by something venomous!). Ben Fogle meets some truly remarkable people in this episode.
One family, for example, decided that the daily grind was, well, too grindy. They packed up their lives and headed to Panama to live a life far away from the internet.
Building a Dream (and a House)
Building a house in the jungle isn’t like ordering flat-pack furniture, let me tell you! Imagine felling trees, lugging logs, and hoping you don’t accidentally nail your thumb to the roof.
It is a lot of hard work. They traded power tools for machetes! We see the family grappling with the realities of construction.
Of course, there were the inevitable mishaps – a leaky roof here, a slightly wonky wall there. But hey, it's all part of the adventure, right?
Life Lessons from the Jungle
New Lives in the Wild isn't just about building houses; it's about building a new life. It’s about discovering what really matters when you strip away all the distractions and pressures of modern society.
In Panama, the family learned to rely on each other, to appreciate the simple things, and to find joy in the everyday. A sunset seen from a porch they built, and the satisfaction of growing their own food.
Ben Fogle is, as always, a brilliant interviewer, drawing out the emotional core of these stories. He seems genuinely invested in understanding their motivations and challenges.
There is a heartwarming moment where one family member describes their newfound sense of purpose. They discover a deeper connection with nature.
Monkey Business and Other Mishaps
Living in the jungle isn't all serene sunsets and profound philosophical insights. There are also monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys.
These aren't the cute, cuddly monkeys you see in zoos. These are mischievous creatures who are more than happy to steal your lunch, your tools, or anything else that isn't nailed down.
The episode features some hilarious scenes of the family trying to outsmart the local wildlife, often with limited success. Imagine trying to protect your vegetable patch from a troop of hungry monkeys!
Of course, it's not all laughs. There are also challenges: disease, loneliness, and the constant threat of the unexpected. But the family faces these challenges with a remarkable spirit and determination.
"Was it worth it?" Ben Fogle asks each person in the end. The answer will surely warm you.
A Dose of Inspiration
Even if you're not planning on packing up your bags and moving to the Panamanian rainforest, *New Lives in the Wild* is a wonderful show. It’s a reminder that there are different ways to live.
It celebrates the courage and resilience of those who dare to dream of a different kind of life. More than that, it makes you question your own choices and values.
So, if you're looking for a bit of inspiration or simply a good dose of vicarious adventure, tune in to *New Lives in the Wild: Panama*. You might just be surprised at what you discover, not just about the world, but about yourself.
